"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2: 13 and 14
These are the words I need to read when darkness prevails. Today our nation changed and many are celebrating that in all 50 states same sex marriages are now legal. Across social media the shouts of joy are heard. I am sure it is occurring in households and offices. If I speak out my opinion, many will see it as hatred, closed minded or some other derogatory term. I have to remind myself, my thoughts are foolishness to them and they will not understand them. Though they don't I must reiterate to all my readers....you are each a sinner, you all have fallen short of what God expects, you are just like me. God also loves you, and through Him I love each of you as well. I may differ from you in that I do believe homosexuality is a sin and because I believe it is a sin, I do not celebrate that is now accepted and legal in my land. I wouldn't celebrate today if addicts could legally use drugs, kleptomaniacs could legally steal, or if liars and cheats could legally steal from us or any sin would be accepted and celebrated. If this doesn't make sense to you or you find it ridiculous, that is okay. You are not my audience today. I am writing to those it does make sense. Those are the ones I want to talk to today.
I want to speak to you who are mourning over the status of the USA. Those of you are seeing the darkness getting darker. People being shot in their churches as they study, laws being passed allowing sin to become legal, and we are continually worried about where we are headed.
I am questioning myself this morning...where have I been as this enfolded? Perhaps I was sitting on a committee deciding on a building plan, or in a meeting discussing the songs or lighting for this week's praise and worship, deciding how to create more seating in a packed sanctuary, or on my knees asking God what are we going to do to help the lost. I am questioning if I am listening to His answer. I am wondering how bright my light is shining in the darkness? I have to question...is sin getting darker, or brothers and sisters, are we just dimming?
I look at the disciples of the new testament. If I were to do a compare and contrast of them to us...my heart becomes heavy. We as a whole do not come close to them. We can not count on a few to stand boldly. We need to stand as one, ALL in. We have become comfortable and complacent. We sit back and shake our heads and worry about what is happening. I think it is time to examine what we are doing. Are we listening to God's call on our lives? Are we open and ready for divine opportunities He places before us? I know I personally stand in shame. My heart is heavy with conviction.
This morning as I read this passage from Jonah I thought of us a Christians in America. God provided us this great country and our founders knew the gift was from Him. It was His will they were seeking, His direction leading and to Him they looked for direction. We have come very far from being that nation. As I read the passage I saw the land of the USA as the vine provided. I encourage you to read all of chapter 4 in Jonah, but these words in verse 10 penetrated my heart...
"But the Lord said, You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend to it or make it grow."
I know I took these words out of context, and it is not the original meaning intended. But this morning, this was the meaning of these words to me. We are so concerned about this land of America...but how are we tending it, and what are we doing to help it to grow spiritually? What are we even doing within our own states? Our counties? Even in our towns, neighborhoods or homes?
Christian, is it getting darker? Or is it more that our light is dimming?
